How to Burn Wood in Outdoor Fireplaces

Never burn painted or pressure-treated wood in your outdoor fireplace.

Nothing is more inviting on a cool fall or winter night than sitting by a roaring outdoor fire enjoying warm drink or roasted marshmallows. Built from a number of materials, including stone and metal, outdoor fireplaces and are cared for and maintained in much the same way as a traditional indoor model. Before lighting a blaze in your outdoor fireplace, give it a good once over before properly stacking the logs and lighting a match.

1

Inspect the fireplace for cracks or creatures that might have called it home. Mend a brick fireplace with mortar and allow the product to dry according to the package directions before building a fire. Allow a professional to repair your metal model. If there are any animals who have taken up residence in your outdoor fireplace, contact the animal control agency to remove and relocate the animal.

2

Cover the bottom of your outdoor fireplace with a 1- to 2-inch layer of ash or sand. Both products help maintain the fire and cut down on the need for extra wood later on.

3

Set a larger log, or one that is at least 8-to-10 inches in diameter, against the back of the fireplace, with a very small log balanced on top of it. Only use dry, seasoned wood and never attempt to burn chemically treated wood in any fireplace, including an outdoor model.

4

Place a smaller, 4- to 6-inch log directly in front of the larger log in the back. Gently press both logs into the ash to help them burn longer.

5

Fill in the gaps between the smaller and larger log with crumpled-up newspaper and small pieces of wood and branches, or kindling. Light the branches and newspaper with a match or lighter.

6

Monitor the fire and add more kindling when necessary. For added protection, slip on a pair of insulated leather gloves while adding newspaper or wood to the fire.

7

Extinguish the fire by covering it with sand or ash. Never walk away from a burning fire or simply dump the ash or sand on and assume it is out. The fire is out when no embers are burning, so don’t leave until you are sure there is no chance of it reigniting.

8

Clean out the ashes before the next use. Wait at least 24 hours after your last fire before scooping up the ash and any other remnants of your last blaze.

Things You Will Need

Sand or ash

Newspaper

Kindling

Matches

Lighter

Insulated leather gloves

Tip

Keep a fire extinguisher on hand in case of emergency.

Warning

Never allow children or pets near the outdoor fireplace. Also, keep anything flammable, such as an outdoor rug or wicker lawn chair, away from the outdoor fireplace while in use.